Sussex II State Prison
One of only four state prisons, the facility had a maximum capacity of 1,352 offenders. It was a security level 4 prison. The prison offers vocational and educational programs, as well as re-entry to offenders who qualify. In terms of building structure, the facility was identical to Sussex I State Prison.
In May 2004, two inmates attempted to escape the prison in a truck but were apprehended.
Financial controversy
When Sussex I and Sussex II State Prisons were opened in 1998, they were built on state owned land which could not be subject to property taxes from Sussex County. An agreement was reached with the county Board of Supervisors for the state to instead make an annual "Payment in Lieu of Taxes", a service fee based on the land's value. That amount was assessed at $500,000 and it was utilized by the county for supporting their fire and emergency services, both of which service the prison. In 2010, during the Great Recession, this payment was cut from the state budget by then Governor Tim Kaine. It was never subsequently restored when the economy improved. This came to light in 2023, when local officials in Sussex County went to the media to discuss the financial burdens that both of the Sussex state prisons put upon their services.
Planned closure
In December 2023, the Virginia Department of Corrections announced plans to permanently close the Sussex II State Prison along with three other state correctional facilities elsewhere in the commonwealth effective July 1, 2024. According to a press release from VADOC the closure decisions were made “to enhance employee, inmate, and probationer safety, to address longstanding staffing challenges, and in consideration of significant ongoing maintenance costs.”. As of January 2024, there were no inmates being housed at the prison in advance of its pending closure.
References
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Sussex County, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 1 (PDF p. 2/12). Retrieved 2022-08-14.
Sussex II State Prison
- ^ http://vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities/eastern/sussex2/ Sussex II State Prison
- ^ Nuckols, Christina (27 May 2004). "2 INMATES TRY TO ESCAPE FROM STATE PRISON". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ^ Covil, Wayne (1 August 2023). "This prison came with promises. Now Sussex County wants Virginia to pay up before it's too late". WTVR TV. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Harris, Terry (21 December 2023). "Sussex II Prison one of four closures announced by VDOC". Sussex II Prison one of four closures announced by VDOC. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Dotson, Chad. "Presentation to House Appropriations Public Safety Committee" (PDF). Virginia House of Delegates. Virginia Department of Corrections. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
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